Steven Zipkes is founding principal of Manor New Technology High School (MNTH) in Manor, Texas. MNTH is a STEM public high school within the Manor Independent School District and is the only Nationally Designated Project Based Learning Training and Demonstration School site within the consortium of schools of the New Technology Network.   The high school has received numerous awards, including being recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for the past four years, as a Model School by the International Center for Leadership in Education, and as a Secondary Showcase School by the Center for Secondary School Redesign. Additionally, in 2009, MNTH became a Project Lead the Way school. In 2012, MNTH was chosen a Nationally Recognized High School by US News and Report featured as A School That Works, “Project –Based Learning: Success Start to Finish,” by the George Lucas Educational Foundation. Mr. Zipkes has led two high schools and one middle school to their first ever State Exemplary Ratings, and in 2011, Mr. Zipkes was named an Apple Distinguished Educator, one of only approximately 1500 worldwide.  He received his BS in Radio-Television-Film from The University of Texas at Austin and his M.Ed. in School Administration from Sul Ross State University, Alpine, Texas. Mr. Zipkes holds a Mid-Management and Superintendent Certification and has served in both of those roles throughout his career.